Nearly $2M in grants provided for pedestrian safety in NJ

Strategy also includes new federal legislation

By: Lucas Frau
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

RIDGEWOOD - Nearly 42 million grants will go toward improving pedestrian safety after a series of fatalities in North Jersey, officials said Tuesday. [03/26/2024]
..... Representative josh Gottheimer, D-Wychoff, held a press conference in front of Travell Elementary School in Ridgewood, where he announced his new pedestrian safety strategy, which includes federal investments of $1.8 million across multiple New Jersey towns and new legislation.
..... The federal investment will go toward safer crosswalks, widening sidewalks, and pedestrian signals and bridges.
..... The municipalities that will receive this new grant funding include Ridgewood, Closter, Midland Park, Hackensack and Englewood.
..... This announcement comes after North Jersey has seen a number of pedestrian fatalities over the last few months, including a 75-year-old woman who was hit by a vehicle at the exit of the Paramus Public Library parking lot and an Englewood elementary school teacher who died after begin struck by a car in Dumont earlier this month. [03/2024]
..... Gottheimer said he recognized this disturbing trend, calling it a "five-alarm pedestrian fire" as New Jersey ranks as the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians, with about 30% of all traffic fatalities being pedestrians compared with the national figure of about 17%.
..... This year, [2024] 47 pedestrians in New Jersey have died, putting the state on pace to surpass the 177 killed last year. [2023]
..... Ridgewood received a $178,000 federal grant form the Safe Routes to School program, which will improve crosswalks and sidewalks near eight schools in the village.
..... Closter will receive a federal grant of $400,000 for an investment to build a new pedestrian bridge between Memorial Field and Remembrace Park, which is separated by a stream.
..... Closter Mayor John Glidden said that resident currently need to walk down county roads with no sidewalks to travel between parks, making it a hazardous journey.
..... Midland Park and Hackensack were granted nearly $1 million to update railroad crossing signals and surfaces.
..... Englewood get a $200,000 to develop new road designs using the traffic safety action plan with the "gold standard Safe System Approach."
..... Gottheimer said these federal grants will not come with a municipal bond, so there will be no hit on the taxpayer.
..... The congressman also announced three pieces of legislation he is helping to lead:
..... The PHASE Act directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology to come up with new solutions to address distracted driving and will implement pedestrian-friendly infrastructure for cities and towns with a new grant program.
..... The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act works toward giving state and local governments funds of bike and walking paths.
..... The Complete Streets Act focus on more accessible transportation options for children, seniors and people wit disabilities that direct states to find new approaches to pedestrian travel.
..... Midland Park Councilwoman Lorraine DeLucca said that "by prioritizing pedestrian safety, we not only prevent accidents but also promote a community where everyone can walk with confidence and peace of mind."
..... Gottheimer said he hopes to continue to bring more dollars from Washington into local communities to ensure the safety of everyone.

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